Fuel price surge set to hit taxi commuters hard

With sharp fuel price increases forecast for next month, concerns have been raised over how this will affect taxi fares.

Several operators have already issued notices that fares will be adjusted from 1 April to aid operations.

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Peter Arendse of the Kensington/Factreton Taxi Association explained that while taxi drivers are already under pressure to meet targets, they are taking a cautious approach. 

The association has chosen not to increase its fares for now, prioritising the community.

“We are more community-based, and at the moment, our community is also struggling.

“If you look at our current economic climate, people are always looking for a way to make that extra buck and to put food on the table. Now, with the price of petrol going to increase, everything is going to go up.”

Arendse said that a potential increase may be tabled at the association’s annual general meeting in May.

“It is not only the executives that make this decision, but our members make the decision.”

To listen to Arendse in conversation with CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit, use the audio player below: